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Are Artificial Sweeteners Healthy

There are many reasons why people choose artificial sweeteners. It may be to help them with achieving their weight loss goals after having a lap band surgeon complete a procedure. For others it may be due to diabetes. Whatever the reason is for considering artificial sweeteners, it is important to understand the health risks and benefits behind this product.

The first thing you want to look at are the main artificial sweeteners on the market. Though the first one to be released was saccharin there are many others on the market, including aspartame and alitame. Most people do not know them by these names, but rather by the brand name, such as saccharin being in Sweet-n-Low or Equal which has aspartame.

The truth is that these artificial sweeteners are in many different products that people buy every day. Some of these include diet sodas and drinks as well as foods on diets. They are designed to create a lower calorie and no sugar substitute for people. However, there are some drawbacks that people should be aware of.

In years past you would see warning labels on artificial sweeteners claiming that they can cause cancer, such as bladder cancer in rats. This can make one think that these products are unsafe. On top of this there are some studies and claims that say that aspartame can lead to many different problems including autism, cancer and even ADD. However, according to the American Council on Science and Health, artificial sweeteners are safe for consumption among the general populace. There is a rare condition though where some people are not able to handle the phenylalanine, though this is a condition that is tested for at birth. There is also a chance of the aspartame causing headaches that are similar to caffeine headaches, though they are only temporary and mild.

Even if you take away the thought of the safety of artificial sweeteners, there are still other risks that you will want to keep in mind. A study done in 2011 shows those artificial sweeteners can actually lead to obesity problems. Part of the way they say this is done is by drinking beverages or eating foods with these sweeteners while consuming a meal. They say that the artificial sweeteners block the signal to the brain that tells it you are full, meaning that people tend to overeat. On top of this, they state that using these sweeteners can create a desire for sweeter foods which can make healthy foods not as appealing to the person.

One of the things you will want to keep in mind though when looking at how healthy artificial sweeteners are is the content of the sweeteners. Though there are 6 different artificial sweeteners approved by the FDA that are calorie free, it does not mean that they are carbohydrate free. This means that you are still getting carbohydrates into your diet and in large quantities this can work against you with your weight loss goals.

These are just some of the factors that you will want to think about when you are deciding whether or not artificial sweeteners are right for you. With the FDA stating they are safe, you should be fine to consume as long as you are aware of the potential side effects in regards to sweeteners you choose. If you are a diabetic, then this may be the only option you have available. Remember that moderation is also key here as large quantities of just about anything, even healthy items, even water, can cause negative side effects that you will not want to deal with.

About the author: Melissa Doran is currently working as a health adviser for patients who have undergone surgeries in a bariatric clinic. She also does Bikram yoga during her spare time.

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Statements on Get Holistic Health about health issues aren't meant to identify, treat, cure, or protect against illness. For those who have a health problem of any sort speak with your health care specialist. Material shown by Get Holistic Health is for educational purposes only and isn't meant to substitute for the recommendation of a doctor and other medical professional.